Dogs everywhere

Although I like dogs, (I had one, years ago) I am getting fed up with owners taking them into cafes and restaurants and yes, into shops too.
A small dog on a lead walked in front of me, just before Christmas as I was looking at dresses in a clothes shop. I moved round the rail and as he wandered away from his owner's side - she was holding him on his lead but not bothered what he was up to - his lead dug across my shins and as I stepped firward, I nearly went flying. The owner, also browsing, hadn't noticed her dog moving near me, and when I cried out as I lost my balance, her concern was only for her dog, which had started yapping at me. She gave me a filthy look and tutted.
Thankfully a shop assistant noticed and came across, concerned that I might have hurt myself. At this point the dog owner may have realised her dog on lead had become an obstacle that shoppers had to navigate. No apology or concern was forthcoming. Other shoppers shared my concern and a small group of us had this very conversation - Dogs shouldn't be allowed in shops. One lady remarked the dog had been cocking his leg up near a clothes rail.
I also think cafes and restaurants shouldn't allow dogs. I really don't want to be bothered by a curious and often smelly and slobbering dog when I am eating.
We all love our pets but dogs surely don't have to accompany their owners on every outing?

I like all animals but agree that they shouldn't be allowed in restaurants. I don't want to eat while they are around. My friend has one and if I call over we can't have a chat as it constantly barks and she has to pick it up - it's quite a lump now so it must make her arms ache. If I've gone for a bite to eat I always say I'll give him a stroke after I've eaten. To me handling pets and not washing your hands after is like not washing them after going to the toilet. I often wonder too why people who work full time (like the couple next to me) have dogs that will be in all day on their own, I don't think it is fair to them.

Unfortunately, thé well-behaved dog walking to heel on leash ( not dangerous extendable ones ) are now very rare. People don’t seem to be satisfied with just one dog but are being wrestled along by two, three and four - or even more. Pampered and indulged, owners seem to expect we will get off the footpath to make way for them and look smilingly as if we are to share their indulgence. I too like dogs but it’s all insane - I understand thé urine as well as dogs poo is causing a big ecological problem.

Some of you people . Really?

sazz1

My 2 dogs spotted a lady and toddler on the beach. They love children and ran towards them. I shouted one command and they immediately stopped dead and returned to me. That's how you train a dog or 2 in my case. I can stop them going into streams, rivers, play areas etc with one command. They were taught with dog biscuits and cooked chicken breast not cruelty.

How I wish that all dog owners were like you! My disabled, autistic, learning difficulties grandson is terrified of dogs. We purposely go to beaches that ban dogs during the summer months for our seaside holidays. I wish that meant we have not been affected by dogs with no recall bouncing up to us on our beach blankets while owners scream their name from many hundreds of yards away. Once a man who had one spaniel that was perfectly obedient did apologise and explain that his other one was still "in training" and had crossed from the 'dogs permitted' area to the dogs banned area. To be fair he was really upset to see our distressed grandchild and promised he wouldn't let it off lead on the beach until it learned better recall. Others have taken the attitude our grandson needs to 'toughen up' 🙄🙄

I live in a popular seaside town with narrow streets. Yesterday I walked from my house down the pedestrian precinct to the sea (approx 200yds) and counted 26 dogs on the way! There were two people with 5 dogs each. My husband who has dementia and mobility problems will no longer walk down that street because he has twice been knocked by dogs. He won’t go out until the crowds go. We check the webcams to see if it is safe. I hate those zippy leads that stretch out for a good few yards. One women called her dog and it ran around behind me and then towards her owner caused a deep cut across the back of my leg that left a 4” scar. Having said that I love dogs it’s just the inconsiderate owners who don’t have their dogs under control. In many holiday let’s you cannot leave the dogs alone in the accommodation and obviously on hot days can’t leave them in the car.

I love it!

One question does not necessarily answer another Kate1949, but to answer yours, in a village of approximately 1200 to 1500 inhabitants - and quite a few dogs.

Now are you prepared to return the courtesy?

'Wow just wow. Where do some of you people live?'

Kate1949

Once again, dog lovers implying that people attacked by dogs are lying.

Are they?
Who? Where?

Personally I wish there were fog friendly cafes that didnt allow small children. I'd definitely choose to spend my hard earned in the company of dogs and dog owners. I miss my dogs so a bit of time with other 4 legged is lovely. As for small, screaming children being allowed to run around, climb on furniture and mess about drives me mad. My children never behaved lije that when out and neither let their children behave like that. Their dogs are wrll behaved too. There are plenty places dogs aren't allowed but I lije those that do.

I agree with Chardy. I worked really hard training my puppy to be good off lead. She watches me all the time and responds to signals. I’ve had so many people stop me and tell me what a lovely, well behaved dog she is. Sorry to sound my own trumpet but it does make me feel proud of her. I can’t take all the credit - I watched every Cesar Milan video and read his puppy training book. That man knows dogs. 😊

My 2 dogs spotted a lady and toddler on the beach. They love children and ran towards them. I shouted one command and they immediately stopped dead and returned to me. That's how you train a dog or 2 in my case. I can stop them going into streams, rivers, play areas etc with one command. They were taught with dog biscuits and cooked chicken breast not cruelty.

Once again, dog lovers implying that people attacked by dogs are lying.

I just love how well behaved dogs are constantly compared to ill behaved (or the disgusting description 'feral') children. Surely the comparators should be badly behaved dogs with badly behaved children, or well behaved dogs and well behaved children? In my opinion anyone who describes a child as 'feral' says more about themself than any child. Especially when they excuse badly behaved dogs as being innocent it's the owners to blame, then surely it follows the poor children are innocent it's their parents/guardians to blame? It's even possible that an establishment might be hosting badly behaved dogs alongside well behaved children!
On the subject of those extending leads, driving home recently as I came near to a corner in my car a small dog on one ran into the road in front of me. I was going slowly so easily braked and avoided any contact. The owner, wife and son looked quite surprised to see their dog in the road in front of my car. Their other dog was obviously content to walk beside them. Letting your dog out of sight on an extending lead is not just thoughtless but potentially dangerous.

I think businesses are free to choose their customers and individuals are free to choose which businesses they support. If you think a catering business is in breach of hygiene regulations, then report them.

Glad to read this post - thought it was just me being an old grouch who hates dogs in eating establishments. When I am out walking too - when a dog off the lead jumps up at me, only for the owner to say “he wont hurt you”!,

275men

Totally, utterly, wholeheartedly, one million percent agree. Dogs in eateries is a no! Dogs off leads is a no! Dogs worrying sheep is a no!

Are you suggesting that dogs should never be allowed to run? Obviously dogs should be allowed off lead in open land, parks, beaches etc, anything else would be cruel

Oh yes, I forgot, and Tewkesbury Abbey has two black labs that meet and greet the congregation!!

Allira

^but once in the town they are kept under control and don't jump on laps, lick plates in cafés^
It was in a local farm shop where I saw a man lift his dog on to his knee and let him finish his meal and thoroughly lick the plate. Certainly not a rough area!
I vaguely recognised the man, could have been from church.

Yuck!

Talking of church, many cathedrals have recently changed their policy to become dog-friendly, Salisbury,Chichester,Bristol,Canterbury to mention a few. They welcome well-behaved non assistance dogs to regular services. I think Winchester (?) does too, though I'm not sure they get invited to tea and coffee with The Dean afterwards. God forbid they'd lick the plates!

but once in the town they are kept under control and don't jump on laps, lick plates in cafés
It was in a local farm shop where I saw a man lift his dog on to his knee and let him finish his meal and thoroughly lick the plate. Certainly not a rough area!
I vaguely recognised the man, could have been from church.

I love seeing folk in the village out walking their dogs. It’s a very sociable activity and dogs are a great ice breaker. The majority of dogs are reasonably well trained when I’m out walking mine. I have only once come across a snappy dog off lead at a local park - not bad in thirteen years, I think. Anyone with an extendable lead usually has not trained their animal and the leads are dangerous and cause accidents. Once there was a barking dog in a smart cafe which was annoying for everyone. Generally I think dogs aren’t really much of a nuisance. I prefer them to women who talk loudly in restaurants clearly believing we are all interested in their conversation. 😊

Oreo

ViceVersa

Well said, foxie48! At the end of the day, it's not the dogs who are the problem, it's thoughtless, selfish and ignorant owners. And as I've been at pains to point out, we're not all like that. Most of us are actually very responsible and do take others into consideration.

But it is the dogs that are the problem ( tho I know what you mean) it isn’t the owners jumping at us and depositing mud on us or sniffing and snarling as we walk past or biting us, it’s the dogs.

But if those dogs had been properly trained and were being properly supervised by those owners, then they wouldn't be a problem in the first place. And mine does none of those things...

I like dogs and used to have one years ago, and was even thinking that when I retire we may get one, but between all the cons mentioned above plus the danger posed to a small dog by other dogs when out walking it, I don’t think we will do.

ViceVersa

Well said, foxie48! At the end of the day, it's not the dogs who are the problem, it's thoughtless, selfish and ignorant owners. And as I've been at pains to point out, we're not all like that. Most of us are actually very responsible and do take others into consideration.

But it is the dogs that are the problem ( tho I know what you mean) it isn’t the owners jumping at us and depositing mud on us or sniffing and snarling as we walk past or biting us, it’s the dogs.